Florida Eels Star Defensemen Yan Kalinovskiy Heads to Pro Free Agent Camp
For most of the Florida Eels players college hockey is their end game. Indeed, the Eels currently have advanced 249 players to college hockey. But for some, like 6’3” 233-pound Yan Kalinovskiy from Kazakhstan his goal and mission is to immediately play pro hockey. This coming week Yan will join many top professional players and exiting college players at one of the most Prestigious venues to reach those ends. Yan will attend a free agent camp The Paris Way in Quebec CA.
The Paris Way Program is one of the premier hockey development programs in North America. Coach Paris has worked with dozens of NHL Draft picks, scouted for numerous NHL teams including the New York Rangers Tampa Bay Lightning, The St Louis Blues, the Chicago Black Hawks, and the Montreal Canadians, he coaches at the at the IHL, AHL ECHL and the QMJHL Major Junior in Canada. He is also one of the coaches for the USA Junior Development Program. He is considered one of the most respected coaches and influential hockey people in Pro and Amateur hockey in North America. He is also one of the Florida Eels top scouts in North America responsible for over a dozen Florida Eels alumni joining our program.
General Manager Frank Scarpaci said Yan had a plethora of college options. Indeed, he could have attended some solid NCAA college hockey programs, but Yan’s heart was in playing pro hockey immediately. After extensive meetings with his dad and Yan, it was decided he focus his attention in pursuing his dreams and goals of playing professional hockey. Hence, he is a man on a mission. We all know full well when Yan is on mission. He proved day in and day out last season to be our most dedicated defensemen on the Eels last season. He attended both practices every day. That is 3 hours of ice. He trained in the gym for another 1 ½ hours and shot 150 pucks daily. He was the top scoring defensemen in the league while also be bestowed the prestigious Don Awrey Defensive Defensemen of the Year Award selected by Don Awrey 3 time Stanley Cup winner. Now that underscores him as a player: Winning both top Defensive defensemen and top offensive defensemen in the league. In his spare time, he studied English 2 days per week and did supplemental studying to improve his communications.
We saw the fruits of his hard work. From a young man who could not speak a sentence in English spoke very well by season’s end. He became a true leader on and off the ice. His hockey skills blossomed as he ripened into one of the most dominant players in the league. In 44 games he scored 16 goals and assisted on another 26 for a total of 42 points. That was incredible. He owned the D-Zone virtually having deeded rights to the house and crease. He was completely dominant along the wall and zone entry. Solid in line rushes as he jumped in as a 4thforward creating the patterned Eels explosive rush on the break-out.
GM Scarpaci is very optimistic and confident that Yan will secure a Pro spot this year. GM Scarpaci has received numerous calls from Pro GMs and coaches, so things look pretty solid for Yan for his future goals. We wish him the best of luck.
